Samuel's Adventures: School Begins!

A lot has happened since I last wrote here. I'll do the best I can to keep you up to date.

I navigated through the streets of El Salvador to take the deaf children home after church, with the help of a friend who told me where to go. Also, down here it's ok to make speed bumps in the road in front of your house if you don't want people going fast.
Eating hot sauce continually is not good for one's insides and maketh the bathroom a constant friend. (III Samuel 1:1). See what I did there? :)
When you buy data for your phone, make sure the number you give them is the correct one, so you don't send free data to someone else.
90 deg. weather, flip-flops, and ice-cold Fanta > 12-18 inches of snow (not to say I don't miss home. I do)

This past Saturday, after debating if it's wise or not, I went to the local town of Augilares by myself (previously, I had always gone with a more fluent Spanish-speaker) to visit the coffee shop. The ride there was uneventful, but on the way back, I told the taxi-driver where I wanted to go, but he went the wrong direction! (or so I thought). With my limited Spanish, I told him I wanted to go back to where we started from. He eventually did, and charged me $2 for his trouble (normal rates are 25 cents). I then oriented myself and discovered the driver had been right all along. Silly me!

So, today was the first day of school. I have been preparing my room and myself all week to be the best teacher I can possibly be. I sometimes get discouraged with how little creativity it seems I have in the teaching area. I get a lot of my decorating and teaching ideas from the other staff here. But then I remember that I haven't been doing this for very long and it's natural to feel that way, especially since it's a different culture and everything. Also, I've been sticking to one of my mantras: "All that's required of anyone, is that they give it all they've got." No one can do more than that, after all. Of course, it's easy to use inexperience as an excuse to slack off then, but I try to stay in the middle of the road. Most important through all this though, has been my relationship with God. I know that no matter how hard I try, if God and I aren't on the same page, it won't matter.

This morning when the children finally came and class commenced, it pretty much fixed everything! I know it's just the first day, but they seem to be fairly well behaved, and who could maintain a hard heart with these little guys around? It's a little hard to communicate here in the beginning, but as I learn better how to communicate via sign language, it'll get easier. Experience is the best teacher! I'm really looking forward to imparting some of my knowledge throughout the rest of the year, and I expect to get lots more in return!

I've been enjoying myself immensely down here. The other staff have been very helpful with teaching me various nuances of the languages down here. I'm learning more and more every day, and one day I will be able to have a full conversation. The weather is gorgeous, especially in the evening when it cools off a little bit. There is usually some remnant of a breeze going, so it's never unbearable hot, at least not yet. I'm slowly, but surely turning this white skin into a darker hue. :)

Some prayer requests:

for Beatriz and her home situation. She hasn't been able to come to school because of some bad things going on at home. She is a 12 year old deaf girl, and many of those years have been filled with misery.
for wisdom for the staff here at the school as we try to teach the students and mentor them spiritually.
for myself as I work on learning both Spanish and sign language
Also, praise God that I haven't been sick and that I had a safe trip

Thanks everyone for your support and for praying. If you have any questions, comments, or just want to send an email, I would be happy to hear from you. My email is samuel@mikesclan.com. I'll try to respond!